Cross-Country Skiing

Cross-Country Ski Permit

A daily or annual ski permit is required to use the ski trails at Door Creek Park and Elver Park for anyone aged 16 years or older.

The permit is also valid for Dane County Parks trails.

Buy a Permit

2026 Fees

Permit Year

• 2026 permits are valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2026. 
• 2027 permits are available starting November 1, 2026, and valid from the time of purchase through December 31, 2027.

Warming Pavilions, Ski Rentals & Concessions

Ski rentals and concessions are available from the warming pavilion at Door Creek and Elver, weather and conditions permitting. Staffed hours are subject to change and dependent on the weather and trail conditions. Be sure to check the Winter Activity Updates alert at the top of the page.

Door Creek and Elver

Equipment Rentals

Includes skis, boots, poles and daily ski permit

Events & Group Outings 

Attend a winter event open to the community or reserve a winter recreation party for your group. All winter activities depend on the weather and conditions and are subject to change. 

Trail Conditions and Grooming

Type of Grooming

The type of trail grooming performed depends on a few things to make the most of both long and short-term skiing opportunities. The amount and type of snow, as well as ground conditions at the time of the snow event, play a role in the grooming equation. Trails may be rolled to compact the snow base and ideally extend the skiing season. 

Trail Status Definitions 

• Open: Trail is snow-covered, skiable with the most recent grooming date posted. 
• Closed: Skiing is not advised or permitted

See Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.

When We Groom

Parks staff is responsible for priority snow removal areas, including roads, more than 400 bus stops, bike trails, sidewalks, and parking lots. We appreciate your patience and understanding as safety will always come before fun.

• Ski trails typically open after the first snowfall over 4", depending on the type of snow and trail conditions.
• Fee-based trails are groomed more frequently, as conditions allow and for both skate and classic skiing.
• Free-to-use ski trails are tracked or roll-groomed for classic cross-country skiing. 
• We may not be able to groom or we may close a trail to preserve the trail condition. The website is updated as soon as information from the field is available.
• Permit fees are non-refundable.

You may also visit Madison Nordic Ski Club for trail conditions posted by volunteers and trail users.

Rules

Pets & Bikes

Bikes and pets are not allowed on cross-country ski trails. Leashed dogs are allowed on the hiking trails. 

Hiking & Snowshoeing

Do not walk or snowshoe on a designated cross-country ski trail. In general parks, walking/hiking or snowshoeing is allowed anywhere except on cross-country ski trails. In conservation parks, hiking or snowshoeing is allowed on non-cross-country ski trails only. See snowshoeing for suggested locations. We recommend, when in doubt, don't.

Trail Tips & Responsibilities

• Follow directional arrows. Some trails are marked for one-way use
• Trails are rated for difficulty at the trailhead
• Skiers stay on groomed trails only
• No dogs, horses, snowboards, motor vehicles, hiking or snowshoeing on groomed trails
• Slower skiers, please stay to the right